Mother of dead woman found near Springfield apartment: 'Life is so precious'

Camille Crews, 19, was found partially clothed just before 7 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 outside of a Springfield apartment complex. Her mother, Serena Latham, said her body was moved to the position she was found in after she was already deceased. Police say the death is suspicious and are investigating her death.(Photo: Submitted photo)

"Just know that life is so precious," said Serena Latham, the mother of 19-year-old Camille Crews. "That there's always a risk of losing your life from drinking or doing drugs."

Crews' body was found partially clothed just before 7 a.m., Sunday in the courtyard of the Town and Campus Apartments at 2010 E. Page St., according to a news release from the Springfield Police Department.

The release does not provide any more information about the circumstances surrounding the woman's death, but police say they are investigating whether or not the death was a homicide.

Latham emphasized that there is still an active investigation and she is waiting to see her daughter's toxicology report. Still, she wants to people to know that — regardless of how the toxicology report turns out — drugs and alcohol are much more lethal than many people realize.

"The best thing that could come out of this is that another life maybe gets saved," she said.

Latham said she does know one thing for sure: Crews' body was moved to the location where it was found.

"It has been confirmed that Camille was moved. She did not become deceased in front of that apartment on her own," Latham said. "She was moved and carried and placed on the grass."

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The remnants of crime scene tape sit in the road on South Wildan Avenue on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. Police are investigating the death of a Springfield woman found in the courtyard of the Town and Campus Apartments, 2010 E. Page St.(Photo: Nathan Papes/News-Leader)

Latham described her daughter as fun-loving and kind. She said her daughter wanted to go into childcare and work with children who have disabilities.

"She was a romantic," Latham said. "She was sweet, and I loved her."

When the News-Leader spoke with Latham Tuesday, she was planning her daughter's funeral with two close friends of Crews — Alyssa Gerhardt and Melody Yeager.